EUGENE, Ore. – For the first time this season Alfred Aboya was in foul trouble, and it didn’t take UCLA coach Ben Howland long to talk to his senior center about it.

In the locker room after the 12th-ranked Bruins beat Oregon 83-74 Sunday at McArthur Court, Howland spoke with Aboya about the importance of staying on the court and off the bench because of the Bruins’ lack of center depth.

“It was a physical game,” Howland said. “We talked about it after the game. This is the first time all year, and we want it to be the last time, that’s for sure.”

Aboya finished with 12 points and four rebounds, and played 28 minutes, nearly three above his season average. However, he was limited to 11 minutes in the second half.

When Aboya fouled out with 2:44 to play, Howland did not go to freshman Drew Gordon. Instead, power forward James Keefe moved to center.

“I really don’t know what happened,” Aboya said. “I thought the game was called really tight at the beginning. I have to make the adjustment now. Going into the game, fouling is always the first thing for me. I’ve done a great job so far, but (Sunday) wasn’t the same.”

Lee update: UCLA freshman guard Malcolm Lee said his ailing left knee is feeling markedly better, and said it was “my intention” to play Sunday at USC. He will see a doctor in the next day or two.

“They’re going to get a second opinion of whether I can go on it or not,” Lee said. “Hopefully, I’m cleared by Tuesday. I should be.”

Lee missed his third straight game with what is believed to be an impingement of the fat pad, which cushions the knee. He said the only pain he experiences is when he remains inactive for long periods of time.

Record setter: UCLA point guard Darren Collison was 9 for 9 from the free-throw line, extending his streak of consecutive makes to a school-record 40. Henry Bibby established the mark of 36, which he set in 1972.

Different look: Bruins senior wing Josh Shipp said the usually volatile McArthur Court wasn’t nearly the same as a year ago when former Bruin center Kevin Love made his only appearance as a collegian.

Love grew up outside of Portland but chose UCLA over Oregon, where his father, Stan, played. Love and members of his family were subjected to vulgar and sexual chants by the student section, which was also littered with obscene signage.

“They were a lot different,” Shipp said. “They didn’t single anybody out this year. They were loud as always, a great environment to play in.”

Also: UCLA allowed a season-high 74 points. Texas scored 68 in a four-point win over the Bruins a month ago. … The Bruins were ninth in the Pac-10 in free-throw shooting at 64.3 percent entering Sunday’s game, but made 20 of 23 (87 percent).